Apparatus for cutting stock



Juiy 6, 1937. G. F. WIKLE ET AL APPARATUS FOR cuTTmGsTocK v 3Sheets-Sheet 1 w.. nu @JW U .o -o ILI I au N H1. EN Q, L. w .f a m @y yuw r lo- M- o w -1 jto 7.5%/ f o Ma/ Z M 2 d f uf/ GEURGE l' WIKLETORNEY.

July 6,' 1937.

`G. F. wlKLE Er AL APPARATUS FOR CUTTING STOCK :s sheets-sheet' 2 FiledApril 15, 19s s- INVENTORS GEORGE E WIKLE n July 6, 1937. G. F. wlKLE ETAL APPARATUS FOR CUTTING STOCK Filed April 15, 195e l s sheets-sheet 5INVENToRs UNITED sTA'TEs' PATENT oFrlcE wat APPARATUS Fon cztrnvo s'rocxGeorge F. Wikle and Charles S.\I`zennox,-Detroit, Mien., assigners te.United states Rubber Products, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporationting strip material into predetermined lengths,

and more particularly it relates to an apparatus for cutting into properlength rubber treads such ias are used in the manufacture of pneumaticires.

Treads for pneumatic tires are usually cut by a manual operation, andtherefore the accuracy of cutting the treads to proper length isentirely dependent upon the operator.

According to our invention, we purpose to out the treads to properlength while the tread is in continuous movement along a conveyor belt.Thus, the cutting operation will in no way interfere with the normalprogress or movement of the tread during the processing of the tread aspart of the operation of manufacturing pneumatic tires.

An object of this invention is to provide autoing the continuousmovement of the tread strip.

A further object is to obtain accuracy in cutting the treads to properlength, and to provide adjustment so that the lengths ofthe tread stripsmay be varied in accordance with desired requirements.

A further object is the attainment of an efcient and economical.apparatus for cutting treads.

These and other objects and advantages will appear more fully in thefollowing detailed description which is to be considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a'planview, illustrating an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are elevational views illustrating the tripping mechanismfor actuating the trea cutting operation.

to Figs. 1 and 2, we

40 Referring in particular show an embodiment of our inventioninoperative relation to a tread conveyor.

A conventional type of conveyor mechanism (not shown) includes aconveyor belt I supporting a continuous strip of rubber tread 2, andnormally moving continuously in a direction shown by the indicatingarrow. The stock cutting apparatus includes a structural frame 3arranged to support a cutting disc above the conveyor belt I. Thecutting disc is mounted to move longitudinally with the stock duringeach cutting operation and to return tothe same longitudinal positionafter each cut. The. disc al- 5 ternates in its movement laterally ofthe stock in 60 which `operates the conveyor belt I also cooperatesmatic means for cutting treads transversely dur- 1936, seriei Ne. 742444with a timing device ferdetermimng the distance betweenthe tread cuts.

Drive and timing unit 5 secured to ashaft 6 supported from the frame 3.A second sprocket 1, also connected to the shaft 6, connects therelative conveyor motion to a timing sheave 8 through a chain 9 andsprocket I0 associated .with the sheave 8. An adjustable sheave I I ispositioned in spaced relation with the timing sheave 8, and a timing.belt I2 cooperates with the sheaves 8 and I I. Sheavev I Ij is supportedfrom. the bracket I3 adjustably mounted on an arm I4 extending from theframe 3. An adjusting screw I5, including a. hand operable crank I6,engages withthe block I3 for adjustably positioning 'it alon'g the armI4.

The belt I2 is composed of flexible material such as rubber so that thedistance between the sheaves 8 and II may be varied to any degreewithout the necessity of changing heus. The belt I2 includes a' camvprojection .I8 which is cooperable with a cam roller I9 attached to apivotal arm 20. A downward movement of the cam roller I9 produced by thecam projection I8 causes an upward movement of a trip nger 2I secured toa pivot pin 22 attached to the arm 20. A spring 23 normally retains thecam roller I9 in engagement relation relative to the camproiection I8.

'Ihe upward movement of the linger 2l disengages with a collar. attachedto a slidable valve control rod 25. A spring 26, through which a rodextends, engages at one end with a carriage frame 21, and at the otherend with the collar 24. The carriage frame 21 is held in inoperativeposition, as shown in Fig. 3, by means hereinafter described. Therefore,the spring 2li, being under compression, exerts a pressure against thecollar 24 to cause the rod 25 to move longitudinally to the left. The'left end of` the rod 25 engages with a lever'28 for actuating a valvemechanism within avalve housing 29. The longitudinal movement along therod` 25 thus actuatesv the .valve mechanism within the housing 29. As aresult of this actuation uid under pressure is introduced into an aircylinder 30 through conduits` 3|. At the Sametime fluid pressure is alsointroduced into a valve housing 32 through the flexible conduit 33. As aresult'of this valve actuation the air cylinder .30 causes the-carriage21 to move in the direction of the tread conveyor.

Longitudinal moeenent The piston operating in the air cylinder 30,through the bracket 34/'(Fig. 1), connects with the framejof thecarriage 21. As shown in Fig. 4,

the carriage 21 is longitudinallyA movable through the assistance ofwheels 35 and 36 which engage It ie essential that the carriage 21 movealong with and at the same speed as the conveyor.A In order to obtainthis correct relative movement, We provide the cylinder 38 which isnormally capable ci niovmg the carriage at a greater 'rate of speed thanthe conveyor. We also provide a restricting means for reacting againstthe air cylinder 38 so as to prevent movement of the carriage at agreater rate of speed than the speed of the conveyor itself. This isaccomplished by connecting the carriage 21 with the same source ofdriving means associated with the conveyor, and providing means forresisting movement of the carriage to restrict its rate of movement to aspeed not'greater than the speedof the conveyor belt. To attain thiscondition, we provide a sprocket 42 and a chain 43 adapted forassociation with a sprocket 44 rotatable on 'a shaft 45 supported by theframe 3.

The hub of the sprocket 45 associates with a clutch 46 of the ballratchet type, such as the conventional type of clutch, for permittingmovement in one direction. The clutch 46 is secured in part to the shaft45, and sprockets 41 and 48 attached to the shaft 45 mesh with chains 49and 58, respectively. These. chains 49 and 58mesh with idler sprockets5| and 52, respectively, mounted una shaft 53 supported by the frame 3.

` of the carriage stroke an arm 54 extending from the frame of thecarriage 21 strikes an adjusting screw 55 threaded at one end ofapivotal lever 56.

4A trip arm 51 joining with the lever 56 cooperates with a latch lug 58secured to the rod 25. When the carriage is in operating position, thatis, while traveling in the direction of the conveyor, the trip arm 51 isengaged with the latch lug- 58. y

A spring 59 surrounding the rod 25 is positioned between the latch lug58 and a collar 68 slidable on'the rod 25. As tlli'c carriage 21 movestoward the ends of the stree, a projection 6| forming part of the frameof the carriage 21 strikes the collar 60' and `compresses the spring 59.As thev carriage 21 continues its movement, the arm 54 strikes theadjusting screw 55, causing the trip arm 51 to swing on its pivot in adownward motion, and thus release engagement of the trip arm r 51 withthe latch lug-58. When the latch lug 58 is released, the spring 59,being in a state of compression. forces the latch lug 58 to movelongitudinally to the right, carrying with it the slidable rod 25.

A spring 62 actsupon the trip arm 51 to main-` tain it in its'normalupward position. The longitudinal movement of the rod 25 actuates thevalve lever 28 to reverse the operation of the valves within the valvehousing 29, and reverses the movement of the piston within the air cyl.-inder 38. Conduits 63 connect the valve housing 29 with the air cylinder38 to effect a reverse movement of the carriage 21.

As the carriage 2l nieves toward its normal, inoperative position, a lug'64 forming apart of the frame of the carriage 21 compresses the spring26 while the collar 24 restrains further longitudinal movement of therod 25 by engagement with the trip linger 2| When the carriage 21reaches the' position shown in Fig. 3, the piston within the cylinder 30reachesthe end ofrits.

stroke, and holds the carriage in such position until the cam lug I8again actuates with the cam roller I9 to repeat a similar cycle oforation.

Lateral movement The carriage 21 operates longitudinally of the conveyorbelt I and supports a secondary carriage 65 (Fig. 3) which operatestransversely relative to the conveyor belt. The carriage 21 supportsrails 39 and 40 for cooperation with .iianged wheels 68 rotatablyattached to a.

secondary carriage 65. This carriage 65 supports the means for cuttingthe stock, preferably tread stock, transversely, andangularly relativeto its thickness.

: lubricated, as by means of a. continuous ow of The reach of the chains49 and 50 is broken, and

Water entering through a conduit 1| and distributed on the cutter wheel10 through the assistance of an absorbent body 12 lightly held incontact with the cutter wheel 10.

It is essential that the stock 2 should be cut at a proper anglerelative to the treadthickness. 'Ihis is accomplished by raising thestock 2 upwardly from the conveyor belt by means of a. depending hook 13to the carriage 21 and extending under the tread 2. Y

In order to maintain the correct position of the stock 2 relative to thecutter-wheel 10, a roller 14 is provided to exert a. slight pressure onits top. The roller 14 is secured to a pivotal arm 15 attached to amotor support 16 connecting the secondary carriage 65. A spring 11provides the desired pressure for holding the roller 13 against thestock 2. .The cutter wheel 1I l completely severs the stock 2 duringtransverse movement of the secondary carriage 65.A Subsequent cuts ofthe stocks are made in alternate directional movements of the carriage65.

. Transverse lactuation of the secondary carriage 65 is produced by adouble acting air cylinder 18, having conduits 19 and 80 communicatingAwith a valve housing 32. Fluid pressure to the valve housing 32 issupplied and controlled through the medium of the housing 29 andflexible conduit 33. that the housing 3 2 should operate alternativelyin introducing fluid under pressure to either the conduit 19 or theconduit 80, to provide the'correct directional movement of the carriage65. To accomplish this, I provide automatic means for alternativelyshifting av valve lever 8| for controlling valves within the valvehousing 32.

A rocker arm 82 is attached to the valve lever 8|, and cooperates with apivoted arm 83 which operates to move the rocker arm 82 alternately fromone position to another. the rocker It is necessary, however,-

` curate control-in 'cutting the arm 82 is moved into position by thepivotal ann 83, the valve lever 8l holds the rocker arm 82 in thatposition by means of a tension arm 84 cooperating with a roller 85attached to the valve lever 8|. A spring 86 provides the necessarydegree of tension.

The pivotal arm 83 is normally positioned longitudinally relative to theconveyor belt by means o f springs 81 and 88 acting upon opposite sidesof the pivotal arm 83. As the carriage 21, on which the rocker arm 82and associated mechanism are attached, moves forward and backlongitudinally in a cycle of operation, the rocker arm 82 provides ineffect a cam for engaging with the pivotal arm 83 to move the rocker arm82 alternately from one position to the other. In this manner ofVoperation the cam lug I8 operates initially to actuate the valveswithin the valve housing 29, which operation results in a longitudinallyforward and backward cycle of movement'of the carriage 21, andsimultaneously results in a single 'transverse movement of the carriage65, permitting the reverse transverse movement of the carriage -65 totake place during the next cycle of movement of the longitudinallyoperating carriage 21.

In the initial operation of the cutting apparatus the motor 69 is setinto operation so as to rotate the cutter wheel v1I) continuously whilethe cutter .apparatus is being used. The remaining mechanism operatesautomatically in accordance with movement of the conveyor belt I, as

the source for drivingthe conveyor also drives timing devices forcontrolling thecycle of operation. The timing belt I2, being composedparticularly of elastic materialis adjustable in length to a veryAaccurate degree, thus providing an actreads or other stock to properlength.

While the cutting of rubber tread stock has been describedin the presentapplication, it is to be understood that the use. of the apparatus isnot limited to the cutting of any particular stock. A

While we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of ourinvention, itA will be understood that modications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent iszl. An apparatus for cutting strip materialcomprising a rotary cutter, a conveyor for supporting strip materiah acarriage movable a predetermined distance with the conveyor, a secondary carriage supported by and movable transversely of the rst-namedcarriage and means for supporting the rotary'cutter in an inclinedlposition on the second-named carriage for movement across the path ofthe lstrip material advanced by the conveyor, whereby the material isIsevered with tapered edges.

2. An apparatus for cutting strip materiall comprising a rotary cutter,a conveyor for supporting strip material, a carriage movable apredetermined distance with th conveyor, a secondary carriage supportedby and movable transversely of the first-named carriage and supportingthe rotary cutter, means for moving the rotary 4cutter across the .pathof the strip. material, and means for raising the strip material fromthe conveyor and into the path of the rotary cutter.

3. In a cutting machine, the combination with a conveyor for supportinga stock in continuous strip form, and conveyor driving means, of acarriage movable a predetermined distance with A the conveyor,independent actuating means for the carriage, 'and means operable fromthe conveyor driving means for preventing the carriage from moving at aspeed greater than the speed of the conveyory while moving with thestock.

4. In a cutting machine, a conveyor for supporting stock'in continuousstrip form, driving means therefor, a carriage movable a predetermineddistance with the conveyormeans operable from the conveyor driving meansfor preventingthe carriage fromv moving at a speed greater than thespeed of the conveyor.. independent actuating means for .moving thecarriage, and meansoperable from the conveyor driving means foractuating the carriage moving means to move the carriage in thedirection of the conveyor. r

'5. In a rubber tread cutting machine, acon- `veyor for supporting atread in continuous strip form, driving means for the conveyor, acarriage movable a predetermined distance with the conveyor, meansoperable from the conveyor driving means for preventing the carriageIfrom moving at a speed greater than the speed of the conveyor,independent means for moving the carriage, means operable from theconveyor driving means for actuating thel carriage moving means to movethe carriagein'the direction of the conveyor, and means operable bymovement of the carriage for actuating'tleocarriage moving means toreverse ,the directiorof the carriage movement. l

6. In a machine of the class described, a conveyor belt for feedingstrip material, driving means therefor, means for cutting the stripmiaterial and cam means operable by the conveyor driving means forcontrolling the operation of the cutting means comprising an elasticbelthaving a camy projection extending therefrom.

'1. In a machine of the class described; a con- `veyor belt and drivingmeans for feeding strip material, means for cutting thestrip material,and cam means operable by the conveyor driving means for controllingthecutting means, said cam means comprising a pair of` sheaves in spacedrelation, and an elastic belt looped around the sheaves and having a camprojection extending therefrom.

8. In a machine of the class described, a` conveyor belt and drivingmeans for feeding strip material, means for cutting -the 'stripmaterial, and cam means operable by the conveyor driving means forcontrolling the cutting means, -said cam means comprising a pair ofysheaves in spaced relation, and an elastic belt looped around thesheaves and having a cam projection extending therefrom,- one of saidsheaves being adjustable for the purpose of varying the perimeter of theelastic belt.

9. In a rubber' tread cutting machine, the comi carriage movable apredetermined distance with theconveyor, cutting means supported by thecarriage, means operable from the conveyor driving means for preventingthe carriage from moving at a speed greater than the speed of theconveyor, independent means for moving the carriage, and cam meansoperable by the conveyor driving means for controlling movement of thecarriage.

10. In acutting machine, the combination with .a conveyor and drivingmeans for supporting stock in a continuous strip form, of a carriagemovable a predetermined distance with the conveyor, a second carriagesupported by and movable,transversely of the first-named carriage, meansoperable by the carriage driving means for controlling initial andsimultaneous movementsl of the carriages, automatic means for returningthe first-named carriage to its starting point, and means for stoppingthe second-named carriage at the end. of itsA transverse stroke.

, 12, In acutting machine, a conveyor and driving means for supportingstock Ain continuous strip form, a carriage movable a predetermineddistance with the conveyor, a second carriage supported by and movabletransversely of the first-named carriage, cutting means carried thereby,means operable by the carriage driving means for controlling initial andsimultaneous movements of the carriages, automatic means for returningthe mst-named carriage to its starting point, means for stopping thesecondnamed carriage at the end of its transverse stroke, and automaticmeans for reversing the direction of travel of the second-named carriagefor each subsequent cycle of operation.

13. In a cutting machine, a conveyor and driving means for supporting astock in continuous strip form, a carriage movable a predetermineddistance with the conveyor, a second carriage supported by and movabletransversely of the rst-named carriage, `cutting means carried thereby,means operable by the carriage driving means for controlling initial andsimultaneous movements of the carriages, automatic means for returningthe rst-'named carriage to its starting point, means for stopping thesecondnamed carriage at the end of its transverse stroke, and meansoperable by the return movement of theflrst-named carriage 'forreversing the direction, of travel of the second-named carriage for thenext subsequent cycle of operation.

14. An apparatus for cutting strip material comprising a rotary cutter,a conveyor and driving means for supporting strip material, a carriagemovable a predetermined distance with the conveyor and carrying thecutter, a pneumatic cylinder for moving the, carriage, a clutchmechanism coupled between the carriage and the con- Aveyor driving meansfor limiting the speed of the. carriage movement, cam means operablefrom theconveyordriving means, and valvemechanism .operable by the cammeans for controlling the movement of iluid to the pneumatic cylinder.

15. An apparatus for cutting strip material comprising a rotary cutter,a conveyor and driving means for supporting strip material, a car-.riage movable a predetermined distance with the conveyor, a secondarycarriage supported by and movable transversely ofthe first-namedcarriage and supporting the rotary cutter for movement controlling duidpressure in the pneumatic cylinders. Y'

16. An apparatus for cutting strip material comprising a rotary cutter,a conveyor and driving means for supporting strip material, a carriagemovable a predetermined distance with the conveyor, a Secondary carriagesupported by and movable transversely of the first-named carriage andhaving means for supporting Athe rotary cutter for movement in. a pathacross the strip material, pneumatic cylinders for moving the carriages,cam means operable from the conveyor driving means, valve mechanismoperable by', the cam means for controlling fluid pressure in thepneumatic cylinders, and a separate valve ter in an inclined positionfor movement in a.

path across the strip material, pneumatic cylinders for` moving/thecarriages, cam Ameans operable from the conveyor driving means, valvemechanism opera-ble by the cam means for controlling iiuid pressure inthe pneumatic cylinders, a. separate valve mechanism for controlling thedirection of movement o f the secondary carriage, and a control leverassociating with the separate valve mechanism and operable vupon reversemovement of the iirst-named car- 18. An apparatus for cutting strip.material comprising arotary cutter, a conveyor and driving means forsupporting strip material, a carriage movableal predetermined distancewith the conveyor, arsecondary carriage supported by andmovabletransversely of the rst-named carriage and having means forsupporting the-rotary cutter in an inclined position for movement in apath across the strip material, pneumatic cylinders for moving thecarriages, cam means' operable from the conveyor driving means, valvemechanism operable by the cam means for pneumatically actuating thepneumatic cylinders,

a separate Vvalve mechanism for controlling the direction of movement ofthe second-named carrlage, a control lever associating with the separatevalve mechanism and operable upon reverse movementof the first-namedcarriage, and means connected to the control lever for locking theseparate valve mechanism during the cycle of its operation.

19. An apparatus for cutting strip material comprising a rotary-cutter,a conveyor and driving means for supporting strip material, a carriagemovable a predetermined distance with the conveyor, a secondary carriagesupported by and movable transversely of the first-named carriage andhavingmeans for supporting the rotary cutter for movement in a pathacross the strip material, pneumatic cylinders for moving the carriages,cam means operable from theconveyor driving means, valve mechanismoperable by the cam means forcontrolling fluid pressure in the pneumaticcylinders, and a separate valve mechanism dependent upon the rst-namedvalve mechanism for controlling the direction of movement of thesecond-named carriage.

' GEORGE F. WIKLE.

ACHARLES S. LENNOX.

